Rockwell KIM-1 Rev D

Rockwell, MOS or CBM Kim-1? It's a rev D that should be Commodore, but the brand is obscured by a metal plate. There is no date stamp above the serial number that I have seen in another rev D. Perhaps this is one of the KIM-1's from the transition between MOS and Commodore. Or maybe a Rockwell or other OEM Kim-1. But did Rockwell sell rev D's? The date codes of the chips are mostly early 1977, some late 1976 and the layout is the same as other KIMs that I have seen. Note the serial number is PA2079. This same pattern was used by Commodore in later revisions. PA most likely indicates Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA. Click image for larger view.

So far I have found nothing definitive about the various revisions of KIM-1, and there are few actual good photos of KIMs on the web, at least compared with other computers of this era. So, I will do some research in my library and post what I find here. ...

The unit worked according to the seller, but has a short causing immediate overheat/power supply hiss when 5V applied so I have to test with the power off. I will have to compare and contrast with the other KIM-1 I have (does not work but does not have a short). Sent inquiry via vintage-computer.com to see if anyone has any ideas.

Working through system..
1. Removed shorted zener diode between application and expansion edge connectors. This solved problem with power supply (immediately hiss upon power)
2. Replaced tant cap near 6502, was probably ok but it's a tant so it's a good idea to replace them when they're old just in case
3. replaced resistor near zener diode
4. getting pulse at pin 39 of CPU

At this point, applying power using a new 5V regulated supply returns exactly 5.00 volts in numerous places consistently, so now it's time to work through schematic.

Silly silly me. I did not realize I needed to ground application connector pin K. Doing so and the computer sprang to life. The U4's K0, K5, K6, K7 all went low (compare with note above) with application connector K grounded. The ROMs are in RAM and everything is peachy. More testing needed but it looks good so far.

Ironically, I bought this KIM because I gave up on my original CBM KIM-1 rev G ever working again.

oh well. Next, I will attach to a teletype and play around with both of them, see what they can do. I may have enough parts to make a RAM extension.

NOTE to anyone reading this: U4 has a set of K pins (see schematic), not to be confused with the K pins of the application and expansion connectors.

Photo of Rockwell KIM-1 Rev D from early 1977 with bad Q1 transistor which prevents activation of the left-most LED. Click image for larger view.

Transistor Q1 has broken off, note the bare posts where Transistor Q1 should be. No biggie part on order. Rockwell put a plastic cover over the 6 individual LED displays, which is a good way to ID this as a MOS-manufactured OEM KIM-1. These boards may not have been sold bare to hobbyists. Instead they may have been sold by Rockwell to be embedded the heart of custom systems for industrial/business purposes, robots, projects, etc.. Click image for larger view.

Here is a photo of the application connector power wiring from my Commodore KIM-1, so you can see what it looks like. Same exact thing on both KIM-1's. I soldered up a few pins that I could remove without having to disconnect the adapter or use alligator clips.